Heated excavator bucket

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for heating the bucket of an excavator to prevent the adhesion of frozen material. A conduit carries hot hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic system of the excavator across an exterior surface of the bucket and back to the hydraulic system. Heat is conducted to the metallic bucket thereby heating it.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,533,502 filed on Jan. 20, 2006 entitled “Heated Excavator Bucket”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to heated heavy equipment implements and, more particularly, to a heated excavator bucket.

BACKGROUND

Excavators and other bucket equipped machinery digging in cold weather conditions suffer from the problem of excavated material freezing and sticking to the bucket. As the bucket is continually used, layers of frozen material build up, substantially reducing the effectiveness of the bucket.

Typically, excavator operators would temporarily heat the bucket with torches, which is time-consuming and ineffective. Other techniques include jarring the frozen material out by knocking the bucket against the ground or an object, which dramatically increases the wear and tear on the machinery, increasing maintenance costs, and is also ineffective.

It is known to provide buckets with internal cavities through which heated hydraulic oil can pass, however, this method requires the installation and additional expense of a special bucket.

There is a need in the art for novel method and apparatus for heating the bucket of an excavator or other heavy machinery so as to prevent the build-up of frozen material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention comprises a bucket for use with heavy machinery having a hydraulic system comprising a fluid conduit affixed to an exterior surface of the bucket, said fluid conduit connected to receive heated hydraulic fluid from and return hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic system. In one embodiment, the fluid conduit is affixed to the exterior surface of the bucket in a serpentine path.

In another aspect, the invention may comprise a method of heating a bucket for use with heavy machinery having a hydraulic system, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) permanently affixing a fluid conduit to the exterior of the         bucket;     -   (b) attaching one end of the fluid conduit to the hydraulic         system, and attaching the other end of the fluid conduit to the         hydraulic system, such that hydraulic fluid circulates through         the conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying simplified, diagrammatic, not-to-scale drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides for a heated excavator bucket. When describing the present invention, all terms not defined herein have their common art-recognized meanings. To the extent that the following description is of a specific embodiment or a particular use of the invention, it is intended to be illustrative only, and not limiting of the claimed invention. The following description is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents that are included in the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

A conventional excavator bucket (10) is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The present invention may be applied to any heavy equipment implement which is desired to be heated and is not limited to buckets and excavators.

A hydraulic fluid conduit (12) is affixed to the exterior of the bucket (10). Preferably, the fluid conduit (12) follows a serpentine path to maximize heat transfer from heated hydraulic fluid flowing in the fluid conduit to the bucket (10) itself. More preferably, the fluid conduit is serpentined in the region of the corners of the bucket, where frozen material is most likely to accumulate. Thus, more heat will be transferred to the bucket corners.

The fluid conduit (12) is attached at one end to a hydraulic fluid supply, such as the hydraulic ram (14) which actuates the bucket arm of the excavator bucket. The other end of the fluid conduit (12) returns the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic system. In one embodiment, an optional valve (not shown) operable by the excavator operator controls flow of hydraulic fluid through the fluid conduit (12).

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the fluid conduit (12) is a heavy wall half-pipe which is welded to the exterior of the bucket. A half-pipe is easily fabricated, and has a favourable ratio of heat transfer surface to the bucket (10), versus the exposed surface area where heat loss occurs. Accordingly, the present invention may be conveniently retrofitted to any bucket, which does not require any other modifications. As well, all excavators and most heavy equipment have hydraulic systems which provide a ready source of heated hydraulic fluid to operate the heating system of the present invention. It is a beneficial side effect that the system cools the hydraulic fluid, as overheated hydraulic fluid loses its viscosity and its effectiveness.

In one embodiment, a conduit cover (not shown) may be affixed to the bucket, over the fluid conduit. The cover provides additional physical protection to the fluid conduit to prevent physical damage during use of the bucket. As well, the cover provides some heat retention, improving heat transfer from the fluid conduit to the bucket. 

1. A bucket for use with heavy machinery having a hydraulic system comprising a fluid conduit affixed to an exterior surface of the bucket, said conduit connected to receive hydraulic fluid from and return hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic system.
 2. The bucket of claim 1 wherein the fluid conduit is attached to an exterior surface of the bucket in a serpentine path.
 3. The bucket of claim 1 wherein the fluid conduit comprises a heavy wall half-pipe affixed to the bucket.
 4. The bucket of claim 1 further comprising an insulating shield covering the fluid conduit or a major portion of the conduit.
 5. A method of heating a bucket for use with heavy machinery having a hydraulic system comprising the steps of: (a) permanently affixing a fluid conduit to the exterior of the bucket; (b) attaching one end of the fluid conduit to the hydraulic system; and attaching the other end of the fluid conduit to the hydraulic system, such that hydraulic fluid circulates through the conduit.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the fluid conduit comprises a heavy wall half-pipe. 